Netto store will be built at Blakeridge Mills site

A Netto store will be built just outside Batley town centre '“ fetching 44 new jobs to the area.

Work will begin this summer on land next to Cemetery Road and Mayman Lane, where the Blakeridege Mills complex also stands.

The seven councillors on Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee unanimously voted in favour of the development at a meeting in Huddersfield.

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They also gave outline permission for a family pub to be built at the site.

Director of Leeds-based Indigo Planning Sean McGrath represented the applicants at the meeting yesterday.

He said: “We will be on the site in the summer – regeneration will happen.

“There have been a number of proposals promised [at the site] but none developed.

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“We will create 44 new jobs, it will generate £1.5m per annum to the local economy and it will provide much-needed investment to regenerate the problem site.

Mr McGrath addressed public objections made about the pub over its potential to habour anti social behvaiour.

He said: “This will be a family pub and restaurant. It will be children-friendly. It will be targeted at providing the whole family with a predominantly informal atmosphere.”

A car park with 114 spaces including bays for parents and the disabled and associated access work will also be built.

A further 39 parking spaces would be built for the pub.

Netto will build 797sqm of sales floorspace at the store.

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Coun Terry Lyons (Independent, Holme Valley North) welcomed the plans, saying that on viewing the site during an inspection “it conjured up visions of Beirut. It was absolutely ravaged.”

Committee chairman Coun Steve Hall (Lab, Heckmondwike) added: “I’m definitely in favour of this development – and the sooner the better.”

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